'Sacmis' (formerly 'Alien Abduction')

Chapter 23: Deal

When the Aliens returned an hour later, it was Laura who once again spoke for the group.

Their discussion hadn’t been easy. At first, the four had been evenly divided, with two in favour of agreeing to the Aliens’ proposal to buy time and two against. 

On one side were Kate and Amisha, who felt that playing along and winning their captors’ trust was the best strategy.

“The more they get to know us,” said Kate, ”the less likely they’ll try to use force.”

“It’s classic hostage strategy,” added Amisha, “if you can get your captors to like you, the harder it is for them to harm you.”

On the other side of the argument, Laura and Gemma felt that forcing the issue now - by flatly refusing - would make the Aliens reveal their true intentions.

“You could just as easily argue that the more they get to like us,” said Gemma, “the less willing they’ll be to let us go.”

“It all hinges on how far anything they say can be trusted,” said Laura, “and none of us knows the answer to that.”

“Which is why delaying is the best way forward,” said Kate. 

“If we force the issue now, they may simply lock us up again and do whatever they choose.” said Amisha,  “At all costs, we must avoid being separated,”

“That makes sense,” said Gemma. “I’d feel a lot easier about co-operating if we’re together.”

“So no being locked in our rooms - ” said Laura.

“ - and no walking in on us whenever they fancy.” said Gemma.

“If they agree to that,” asked Kate, looking at Laura and Gemma “will you two be happy to play along?”

“OK,” said Laura, “since I have to confess to a sneaking desire to see the Rings of Saturn.”

“It’s what else they want to show us that worries me,” said Amisha.

They were still laughing when the Aliens returned.

“We agree to your proposal,” said Laura, “we’ll give you your two weeks, but we have conditions - ”

“Which are?” asked Irvn

“One, we have access to each other at all times. Two, no locking us in our quarters. Three, no walking in on us if our doors are closed. If we want to be alone, you respect that. And four - most important of all - you return us to Earth afterwards.”

The Aliens looked at each other for a long moment. They said nothing, but seemed to reach a silent agreement.

It was Teo who spoke.

“We agree,” he said, “but with some conditions of our own. We can’t give you the run of the ship - that would be dangerous for everyone - but we can open up most sections of the wheel we’re in. 

“Which are?” asked Kate.

“Your quarters are already in two of the wheel’s spokes: Laura and Amisha are in one, Kate and Gemma in another. You’ll have complete control over access to your rooms and access to the outer wheel, so you can move from one spoke to another and round the main wheel itself.” 

“But - ” added Irvn, “ - the doors at the opposite ends of the spokes, those that lead to the central core and then down to the lower wheel, they remain closed.”

“You’ll see the rest of the ship,” said Cymon, “but only if one or other of us is with you.”

“What else is in this main wheel, besides this?” asked Laura, waving her hand at the room they were in.

“There’s the galley,” answered Teo, “food stores, a gym, more living spaces and one or two special purpose rooms.  Most will be open to you round the clock. As they are to us.”

“Are we agreed?” asked Cymon.

The women looked at each other and nodded.

“Agreed,” said Laura.

© Adriana Nicolas 2014